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Matthew Pendergrass named Boys & Girls Club of Fremont County 'Youth of the Year'

By Carie Canterbury

canterburyc@canoncitydailyrecord.com

Posted:
02/12/2014 07:20:05 PM MST

The Boys & Girls Club of Fremont County Youth of the Year, Matthew Pendergrass, is congratulated by Club members Destinee Mulligan and Ceinna Higgins, Jennifer Pierceall Herman, executive director, Terry Hamilton, board member and Roseann Meyers, board member. (Courtesy Photo / Special to the Daily Record)

More info: Tickets available at the Boys & Girls Club of Fremont County, 129 N. Fourth St. For more information, call (719) 345-4038.

The Boys & Girls Club of Fremont County has served hundreds of middle school and high school students since opening its doors in June 2011, but perhaps no one has been as deeply affected by the organization and its staff than 18-year-old Matthew Pendergrass.

Pendergrass was named the Club's Youth of the Year in January, the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive.

"At first, I didn't want to come to the club but did because I was required to," he said during the local competition. "But then I realized that when I didn't attend, I was more likely to slide into past behaviors that would get me into trouble."

To compete for Youth of the Year, candidates write a report on what the club means to them and then read it to a panel of judges.

"I talked mostly about what they've done for me, which is a lot, more than what I've done for them," Pendergrass said.

He first began attending the club two years ago, after a recommendation from his juvenile probation officer, participating in its many activities, events and programs.

"I can actually come here and just be myself," he said.

He since has volunteered his time to the organization and is a junior staff member.

"I was in the court system a lot; in my freshman and sophomore years, I got several Fs, I was breaking probation a lot," he said. "If I didn't have the club in my life, and everyone here to help support me, I would probably be in jail and definitely would not be on track to graduate."

Now a senior at Cañon City High School, Pendergrass made Silver Honor Roll earlier this year and has earned a 3.5 grade point average.

He said the Boys & Girls Club of Fremont County has helped him to be able to graduate from high school this year. After graduation, he wants to attend college to learn welding and auto mechanics.

One of the aspects of the club he most appreciates and enjoys is the staff, especially Tanya Marushack, mentoring director, and Sadie Ebel-Swisher, program director.

"They have helped me with everything," he said. "I've gone through a rough time these last two weeks, a really rough time, and they have been through it (with me) the entire time."

He said they also gave him a second chance when he previously made a mistake.

"They have pretty much been here the entire time," he said. "Me and Sadie and Tanya have bonded that relationship to where I can go to them with anything; they are basically like my counselors."

A press release issued by the Boys & Girls Club of Fremont County describes Pendergrass as a "true example of an extraordinary young man recognized by the Boys & Girls Club of America for his sound character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community."

As BGCA's premier youth recognition program, Youth of the Year recognizes outstanding contributions to a member's family, school, community and club, as well as overcoming personal challenges and obstacles. The honor also encourages club members to reach their full potential by achieving academic success, leading healthy lifestyles and contributing to their communities.

"Matthew is an outstanding example of how participation in the Boys & Girls Club can help young people ne successful, and in Matthew's case, turn lives around," said Jennifer Pierceall Herman, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Fremont County.

Pendergrass will compete in March for the state Youth of the Year in Denver, where he could earn a $1,000 college scholarship from Tupperware Brands Corporation. The state competition then competes for the title of Southwest Region Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 scholarship.

This is the first year the club has had youth eligible to compete in the state competition, because the youth must be be in high school and be a club member for at least two years, Herman said; the local club only has been open for two years.

Three board members judged the competition: Terry Hamilton, Department of Corrections; Roseann Myers, Cañon City Middle School; and Michael Alcala of the Daily Record. The other candidates for the Youth of the Year were Destinee Mulligan and Ceinna Higgins.

For more information on the Boys & Girls Club of Fremont County, call (719) 345-4038 or visit bgcfremont.org.